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Putin not welcome at G20: Newman

Tony Moore

Ukraine and pro-Russian insurgents agreed on July 19 to set up a security zone around the crash site of a Malaysian jet whose downing in the rebel-held east has drawn global condemnation of the Kremlin. Outraged world leaders have demanded Russia's immediate cooperation Photo: AFP

Russian president Vladimir Putin would not be welcome in Brisbane for the G20 conference in November if he does not make sure the MH17 crash site in the Ukraine is immediately secured for investigators, Premier Campbell Newman said Sunday morning.

Seven Queenslanders, Roger and Jill Guard from Toowoomba, Howard and Susan Border from Albany Creek, Wayne and Theresa Baker from Buddina Beach but living in Darwin, and Helena Sidelik from the Gold Coast, lost their lives in Friday’s commercial jet disaster.

“I am still not seeing things that give me any confidence that there is full co-operation with international authorities to get to the bottom of this,” the premier said Sunday morning.

Russian president Vladimir Putin. Photo: Reuters

Mr Newman said he was very disturbed by what he was reading and seeing being reported from the crash scene near the Ukraine-Russia border.

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There are unconfirmed reports of looters approaching bodies of victims stealing jewellery, credit cards and cash at the crash site.

Other reports say rebels have negotiated terms for a 20 kilometre security zone around the site with 30 representatives from Europe’s Organisation for Security and Co-operation.

“So I re-iterate my comments that if Mr Putin and the Russian Government do not co-operate then certainly I believe that Queenslanders will not want him to come to Brisbane for the G20," Mr Newman said.

“He would not be welcome.”

The Premier said he was worried about the seemingly lax security at the site.

“Like all Queenslanders I am deeply concerned about what we are seeing being reported about the actual, crash scene,” he said.

“The failure, it appears to properly secure that site and deal with this disaster in the way that should - in this day and age – be occurring.”

The Queensland Government will have condolence books at a range of locations around the state for Queenslanders to expresses their condolences to the victims of the MH17 disaster, Mr Newman said.

“The government over the next couple of days will make announcements about the way in which Queenslanders can express their condolences to family and friends of those who lost loved ones,” Mr Newman said.

“We will be making announcements about that in the next 24 to 48 hours.”

Mr Newman said the Queensland Government is co-ordinating its memorial activities for victims and their families and friends with the plans being developed by the Federal Government.

“I stress again, we do not want them to grieve alone,” he said.

He encouraged Queenslanders to support families who had lost someone in the Ukraine disaster.

“Communities – all of us – need to come together at this particular time.”

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